Newbies

[Abbotts Plot]

Hi we are complete newbies to the allotment. Would appreciate any tips & advice. What should we be doing this month? We've a 20x20 plot it's been rotivated & we hope to be able to get started next week. Thank you 😃

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hello and welcome to the Vine!

It's a shame your plot has been rotivated, chopping up all the perennial weeds into about a million more, but that can't be helped now.

Most importantly, cover any bare soil to stop weeds coming back - cardboard is good - then you can either plant through or lift away the cover as you plant.

In a couple of months you can plant garlic and overwintering onions; now you might get away with a crop of French beans - start them off now - today! - in pots at home and in a week or 10 days you will be able to plant them out. You can also sow lettuce (in pots now to plant out in 2 - 3 weeks) and early carrots (sow direct in at the plot).

If you get to the garden centre you might well find plug plants of brassics which can be planted out now (net these!), and maybe leeks too.

Others will be along to advise further, I'm sure, meanwhile, why don't you pop over to the 'introduce yourself' section and tell us all about your plans!

[Littlefox2000]

Hi there,

Congratulations on getting your plot!

As another newbie (got a plot on 23rd May this year), I would just like to share some experiences I've had. My plot was quite weedy and overgrown when I got it. I was lucky and got the keys in time for the May bank holiday weekend, hired a rotavator and removed as much as possible and then dug over the whole plot. The plan was for a series of raised beds, I searched online and found my local wood reclaim yard (which is a charity). Got the wood for the beds dirt cheap...even cut to size and delivered. They actually were so nice that when they got some stuff in that was perfect for building a shed they let me know. (plus they get loads of pallets which they don't mind delivering for nothing - can be made into compost bins, pallet planters, pathways and decking) I also searched for companies who delivered well rotted manure and got a whole truck delivered for about £60.

I joined free cycle and so far have managed to get loads of free plant pots and planters, some swiss chard seedlings, a water barrel, a compost bin, and old door which was converted into a cold frame. Plus I picked up a garden bench this week for nothing.

I know I did spend out a bit for the wood for the raised beds and manure, but it's well worth hunting out your local reclaim yard and I would highly recommend joining freecycle.

So far the rotavation hasn't caused any issues...I even talked to a long time plot holder today, who said at least with a rotavator you can get started and deal with the small weeds as they appear. I am putting down weed membrane and wood chips for my paths, so it's not causing problems so far, despite the nice weather. I'm just weeding as they appear.

Hope this helps a bit!

[Littlefox2000]

Oh...forgot to mention...I had some unruly raspberries on the plot that had expanded beyond what I could possibly cope with. I asked around to see if any other plot holders could make use of some canes. A few people did take some. In return they gave me some of their seedlings that they had sown too many of. I got 7 courgette plants, 4 cucumbers and 3 Brussels sprout plants.

Although you might not be in the position this year...it's always a good idea to offer anything you've over planted around...cos on a site, other plot holders are probably in the same boat and you can swap stuff.

[Abbotts Plot]

Hi thanks for taking the time to reply. I've been on the 'introduce yourself'. Plot will hopefully be ready on Tuesday & then we can get started. At the minute I live sleep & breathe allotment however I still haven't got a clue on were to start first. I've had like 9 books from the library & they all vary in advice. Thanks again ��

[Two_Sheds]

I still haven't got a clue on were to start first.

It's the same advice we give to every newbie who asks the same thing: make a list of what you like to eat.
Then buy the seed
Read the packets, and make a month-by-month planting plan

There won't be an awful lot you can sow this late in the season, but Chinese veg, radish, maybe a lettuce, early (it means quick-maturing) carrots, green manures ...


You never want to have any bare soil, or else weeds will take it over. Cover the bare soil with crops, green manures, or cardboard.